Hi,
Welcome to the forum . . . and great questions indeed!
If you go the Performance Center route then I'd recommend to never sell the case, grips, etc. . . . it will destroy the value of the gun.
Actually, this is true for any S&W revolver. When we buy nice, used and desirable specimens, not having the original box and materials is sometimes a deal breaker . . . and other times it reduces the value of a nice specimen an amazing amount.
That being said . . . if you are just looking for a new "shooter" gun that will be used a lot, it doesn't matter . . . so I'd go with the plain Jane version and shoot the heck out of it!
OTOH . . . lots of times the PC versions are the raceguns if you shoot the revolver "gun games."
Trigger jobs . . . I really don't see much difference between a stock PC trigger job and good SPECIMENS from their production lineup. IIRC, a few years ago they stopped really making the revolvers in the Performance Center shop but this may have changed.
I've owned lots of Smith revolvers, including some PC versions. Heck, I like 'em all . . . all except the ones with the damned locks on 'em. The little ugly weep hole on the left side is a total turn off.
To each his own of course, but if you stick around here and haunt the classified section a while you'll be able to pick up some really nice VINTAGE S&W Model 27 revolvers. I bought this one that way a year ago here, with all the wonderful features not found on the new ones such as . . .
1. Grips serial numbered to the gun
2. Pinned barrels (dropped to save money in 1982)
3. Checkered top strap and rear sight (on the Model 27s)
4. Really nice finishes . . . in the case of the gun below, it is like a mirror!!!
5. All forged parts (discontinued in the late '90s)
6. Recessed cylinder holes that surrounded the bullet rim . . . long gone. Look below at how the back of the cylinder nearly touches the frame (recoil shield) behind it. It is another feature not offered today.
Wish it had come with the original box, but some former owner failed to understand . . .
Still, this 1970 made revolver would draw a crowd in a display case in a store alongside the new ones. They truly don't make 'em like this anymore. Also, most folks prefer the 3 1/2" and 5" N frames better than the 4" versions, but different folks prefer any of the other size barrel lengths too!
This 3 1/2" version has the original S&W "magna" stocks . . . and they are gorgeous, as is my personal Model 27 "grail gun" made forty years ago. I love it!!!!
Here's that top strap that was always checkered on the original Model 27s and later variants. I don't think they do this anymore, nor pin the barrels:
BTW, if I were wanting an eight-shot Model 627, I'd be looking for an early one before the MIM parts and the danged locks showed up. They do exist . . . but they may bring a higher price than new ones if they are in great shape! FWIW, the new 627 versions are still fine, fine revolvers indeed and you'll be very happy with either one I suspect . . . I'd just personally want one without the MIM parts, and especially without the lock. I'm surely not alone in my sentiments.
Not trying to confuse ya here . . . just giving you some food for thought!
Again, welcome and STICK AROUND. Some of the leading S&W experts are on this site . . . and a LOT of knowledgeable, experienced wheel gun shooters and collectors. You'll learn a lot and your tastes and desires for future guns will change and evolve.
THIS PLACE IS ADDICTING!!!
Tom